My new 38-200

[AlaskanPuffin]

Hi Everyone, I recently purchased an Ericson 38-200. She is a really nice boat and exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately I missed it, the surveyor missed it and previous owner failed to mention it but there is a huge crack on the bow under the forestay chain plate/ anchor roller. The surveyor must have been literally blind but that is water under the bridge at this point. I was glad to find a 38-200 in Alaska and otherwise than the crack and some outdated electronics, she is in pretty good shape. I'm confident I can tackle the repair as I have a lot of experience in doing aviation composite repair from my time in the USCG. I'm just starting to dig into the damaged area now and I will make a new thread showing my work. She needs paint and a few other odds and ends while she is in the boat yard. I'm looking forward to getting her splashed this summer.

 

[Loren Beach]

Please provide some photos when you can.
Just my curiosity, but.... Which year is it? Universal or Yanmar diesel? Engine aft or under the galley cabinetry?

 

[Christian Williams]

This might apply:

E30-3 - Fo’c’sle Rebuild Part 1

Forecastle or fo’c’sle is the term for the forward most raised portion of the deck on a boat. On the 30+ this area is heavily built to support the loads of the forestay and provide a flat surface for the bronze anchor roller/jib tack fitting, and...

ericsonyachts.org

To find Parts 2 and 3 go here: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/blog/bigd14s-blog.3493/

 

[AlaskanPuffin]

Please provide some photos when you can.
Just my curiosity, but.... Which year is it? Universal or Yanmar diesel? Engine aft or under the galley cabinetry?

She is a 89’. This is an old photo from when I first found the crack. It was under part of the winter cover which likely was added to hide the crack and that is why I didn’t see it before I purchased it. She has a Universal engine aft under the ladder with 769 hours on it. I’ll get some better pictures of the damage next time I’m down at the boat. Now that I have the chain locker out you can really see the extent of the damage.

Thank you Christian, I actually found your video on YouTube showing how you removed the chain locker and that was really helpful. Your videos are largely the reason I was looking to buy an Ericson in the first place, so I greatly appreciate your insights!

 

[bigd14]

Yup just like mine, likely frost damage from water entering the anchor roller bow plate. Cut it off and glass it over and you should be fine!

 

[Marlin Prowell]

Your engine has an old style alternator bracket that is prone to catastrophic failure. See this article for details and a replacement.

 

[AlaskanPuffin]

Yup just like mine, likely frost damage from water entering the anchor roller bow plate. Cut it off and glass it over and you should be fine!

I just finished reading your great write-up and I'm feeling inspired.

Your engine has an old style alternator bracket that is prone to catastrophic failure. See this article for details and a replacement.

Thanks Martin, great heads up. I'll put it on my repair list!

 

[Christian Williams]

I think you have a Universal 5432 or M40, which was standard for the 38. Looks like an upgraded Balmar alternator, and note that this engine is not subject to the M25 alternator mount mandatory recall. Your water heater is plumbed to the thermostat bypass, which I prefer. You appear to have the original diaphragm bilge pump located in the engine compartment, first picture I recall of that. Most eventually went to submersible pumps, but diaphragms are luxury. I believe that is the original air filter, with internal mesh to protect the intake from small birds or gravel or golf balls. Most of us have replaced that with a modern K&N air filter or similar. I brightened the photo. Click to enlarge.

 

[Loren Beach]

I believe that is the original air filter, with internal mesh to protect the intake from small birds or gravel or golf balls. Most of us have replaced that with a modern K&N air filter or similar.

Good Point. If... that OEM filer has the metal mesh inside it may be shedding bits and may cause scoring of the cylinder walls. No proof from a tear-down, but I believe some of the oil consumption in our former M25XP was the result of that. The K&N filter is a great idea to replace it.
References: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/m25xp-air-intake-woes.10244/

Universal XP25 - failure caused by airfilter

Hello all, Thought I would share a recent engine failure on my Olson 34 with an XP 25 engine. I had a recent engine stall that left me having to sail back to the marina in light conditions and adverse current. Here is the interesting failure mode: The engine stalled with a bit of weasing...

ericsonyachts.org

Our new (2018) Betamarine25 came with a paper element air filter, I should note.

 

[Marlin Prowell]

Christian is right — I see now that this is a 4 cylinder engine and does not have the problematic alternator bracket. E32s, E34s, and E35s have a three cylinder engine and the faulty alternator adjustment bracket on those engines was above the alternator. The replacement bracket set for those engines put the adjustment bracket under the alternator. So when I see an engine with the adjustment bracket above the alternator, I get jumpy. But I see now that the adjustment bracket above the alternator is not universally a problem.

 

[AlaskanPuffin]

I think you have a Universal 5432 or M40, which was standard for the 38. Looks like an upgraded Balmar alternator, and note that this engine is not subject to the M25 alternator mount mandatory recall. Your water heater is plumbed to the thermostat bypass, which I prefer. You appear to have the original diaphragm bilge pump located in the engine compartment, first picture I recall of that. Most eventually went to submersible pumps, but diaphragms are luxury. I believe that is the original air filter, with internal mesh to protect the intake from small birds or gravel or golf balls. Most of us have replaced that with a modern K&N air filter or similar. I brightened the photo. Click to enlarge.

Thanks Christian! Yes it is a M40 engine with the Balmar alternator, 100 amp I think. I'm glad you and Marlin verified that I didn't need the alternator mount upgrade because I couldn’t find anything for the M40 on the alternator mount, it looks like a bad problem for the M25 especially with an oversized alternator.

Yikes it sounds like a pretty bad scene if the intake sucks in a bunch of metal mesh! The K&N filter sounds like a great and easy upgrade! I wonder if the same part number for the M25 K&N RC-0370 air filter would work on the M40 it says it fits a 2" intake flange?

Yes, it has the diaphragm bilge pump but I also have a 12v submersible in the bilge compartment below the galley sink.

 

[Christian Williams]

I have this K&N. There are different shapes, but "round" fits my engine compartment best.

K&N RA-0470 Universal Clamp-On Air Filter

2-1/16in.O/S FLG; 6in.OD; 4in.H; RU TP;V

leertruck.com

 

[AlaskanPuffin]

I have this K&N. There are different shapes, but "round" fits my engine compartment best.

That looks prefect. Thank you Christian.